His Last Time

 N.T.#241 "His Last Time"

Feb. 9, 2024  

Matthew 21

LET IT GLOW

I often think about the last trip I made home to visit with my parents. Mom had surgery and I stayed several days with her in November. It was the last time I visited with Dad. I cooked for him and my sister, who came later. He was surprised in my ability. We three looked through old pictures and talked of old times. How precious are those memories. I didn't know it would be my last time to talk with him. I regret not telling him that I love him.

I suppose as we get older, into our golden years, we have questions about our "last times." Do you wonder what the circumstances will be surrounding your last trip to see your children and grandchildren? Our last time to worship with the saints in your home church? The last family get together with extended family? What will our life say to them? Will they see our faithfulness to Jesus? Will they be encouraged by our love for them that we showed? Will our words give the hope of eternal life? Will we spend eternity with them in heaven? 

Jesus is making His final journey from Jericho to Jerusalem beginning with this chapter. The Triumphal Entry was on what we call Palm Sunday. It was 4 days before the Last Supper, 5 days before the Crucifixion, and 1 week before the Resurrection. This day kicked off the series of events that Christians traditionally call Holy Week.  (Swindoll)

All 4 Gospels take their time writing about the dramatic events leading up to His passion and crucifixion, and account of His death itself during the Holy Week. So we will take our time as we walk with Jesus on His final days of His earthly life. 

First, this journey was 18 miles from Jericho to Jerusalem. It was a fairly steep uphill climb. That alone would have discouraged the half-hearted curious ones who joined the crowd. Jericho is north of the Dead Sea and east of Jerusalem. The crowd of Jews were going to the Passover Celebration, which was yearly. They came to the town of Bethany, which was about 2 miles from the walls of Jerusalem.

LET IT GROW

What happened at Bethany?

• John tells us that Jesus had supper with Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. 
• That was when Mary anointed Jesus' feet with costly oil and dried them with her hair. (This may have been from India and worth a yearly wage.) What a sacrifice Mary made for her Savior to be comfortable. (Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit.) How soothing it would have been due to the long walking trip. 

• Walking on to Bethphage a little farther up, it small village lay between Bethany and Jerusalem. 
• Currently, there are no villages of Bethany and Bethphage. 
• Then Jesus and his followers ended up on the Mt. of Olives. 

My tour group took a picture above the Mt. of Olives on a hill. Behind us is Jerusalem, what is left of the Old Testament Wall, There is a group of trees in this section. The Eastern or Golden Gate is sealed up by the Muslims. They don't want the returning King Jesus to enter there. In front of the Gate is a cemetery, so surely a Jew would not walk through it. This valley is called the Kidron Valley. It runs east and south of the city. (You will recall that waste was deposited there.)

Jesus would return to the Mt. of Olives for privacy to pray before His beatings. Keep in mind that it is on a steep hill to wal down to the Kidron Valley. We had to walk slowly so as not to fall down. What a blessing it is to have made a trip to visit the Holy Land! I never dreamed of it in my earlier years. It makes the Bible come alive for me. Folks, it is not just a story book. These are actual places and those were real people who lived during its times.

God had Jesus' final trip to the area of Jesus' beloved city planned out. Do you think He has our last years planned out for us? Are we following the path He has for us to walk? Are we accomplishing His will for us in our final years?

I, for one, want to finish well. I want to do my Heavenly Father's will, be His witness, and love people to Jesus through salvation He has provided. How About you?

LET IT GO

Jesus, help us let go of hurt feelings and words so we can forgive others.

Help us let go of resentments and bitterness and love others today.

May we count our days and make the best of them.

I want to leave a legacy of faith and obedience and love  to my Savior Jesus.